Perhaps you’ve noticed a newly painted storefront or a new sign on a local business as you’ve walked, ridden or driven through the Seward neighborhood over the past few years. There’s a good chance that the business in question was a recipient of a Façade Improvement Matching Grant through the City of Minneapolis ‘Great Streets’ program.
Matching grants of up to $5,000 are available to business owners and owners of commercial properties who make improvements to their property including new paint, windows, awnings, tuck-pointing, murals, exterior lighting, signage and more. The program is focused on major commercial corridors, including Franklin Ave and Lake Street, as well as areas surrounding light rail stations.
2014 Grant recipients include several Franklin Avenue businesses. Tracy’s Saloon (2207 E Franklin) received a grant for new exterior paint and signage. Steady Tattoo and Body Piercing (2621 E Franklin) and Soberfish Bar & Restaurant (2627 E Franklin) each received matching grants for new blade and window signage. New awnings have also helped to brighten the façade of the Northern Clay Center (2424 E Franklin).
For more information and to apply for the matching grant, contact D’Angelos Svenkeson, Program Manager at Seward Redesign: d’angelos@redesigninc.org or 612-435-0278.
I am inquiring about facade grants. Would they be available to businesses off Franklin. We may be interested in improving our facade in the near future.
Bill Hupp
Hexagon Live Music & Sports Bar